A Washington Examiner opinion piece this week said that President-elect Donald Trump should "avoid entangling" himself in the affairs of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Kahn.
"In the intricate world of U.S.-Pakistan relations, where policy is often overshadowed by personalities, the saga of former Prime Minister Imran Khan stands out. Khan transitioned from a cricket player to a political leader, only to find himself in a standoff with Pakistan’s establishment and, by extension, the United States," said the opinion piece. "Following his ouster two years ago, Khan accused Washington of working with Pakistan’s powerful military to orchestrate his removal."
"His supporters embraced this notion, seeing him as a symbol of resistance against foreign interference. But Trump—and any future U.S. leader— would be wise to avoid entangling themselves in Khan’s saga," said the piece.
Imran Kahn was the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 through 2022, Kahn was ousted from office following a no-confidence vote in Pakistan’s National Assembly.
He was arrested in August 2023 following a court ruling in the Toshakhana corruption case. The case revolved around allegations that Khan failed to properly disclose gifts received during his tenure as Prime Minister. These gifts, which were from foreign dignitaries, were reportedly sold by Khan without following legal procedures for declaring or retaining such items.
Earlier this year, Khan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets. The charges stemmed from allegations that he made public a confidential diplomatic cable, known as the "cipher," which reportedly discussed U.S. involvement in his removal from office, reported Voice of America.
Just this month, Khan was charged with attempted murder following the death of a police officer, Abdul Hameed, during protests led by Khan's supporters, reported Radio Free Europe.
The protests were in response to calls for Khan’s release from prison, where he has been held since 2023. The authorities allege that Khan incited his followers to engage in violent actions, which led to clashes with law enforcement. Officer Hameed was critically injured during these confrontations and later died from his injuries.
The chancellor of University of Bradford from 2005-2014, Khan was captain of the Pakistan national cricket team from 1982 to 1992, leading the team to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1992.